RC ATOMIC LINE 70MM — 32G HP NO 3 AND 34G NO 3

These cartridges are incredibly fast and hit hard. Darren used the 34g load to kill a pair of teal and one wigeon, the latter was out at around 44 yards, and all were killed cleanly. Carcass inspection showed excellent penetration, with pellets lodged well into the breast.

An olive green 70mm case and brass cap covers even, well-made shot and a photodegradable wad. They are a high-power load, meaning you will need a gun stamped with a fleur-de-lys, but these are a step down from my usual RC Atomic magnum load. For all that, I didn’t notice any significant difference in killing range. Recoil is quite sharp with a muzzle velocity of 1,385fps in the 32g load and 1,355fps in the 34g. I killed a hen mallard out at 38 yards with the 32g, crumpling the bird in fine style.

To my mind, the RC are the pick of this bunch. The powder they use is regarded by many as the best on the market and they are as reliable as a promise from your mother. Darren’s opinion is that the 34g in 1 and 3 is one of the best wildfowling cartridges he has ever used. Both of us rated the degradable wad, and I have some of these laid out in my garden to discover the rate that they decay over time.

“The pace of development in steel loads and degradable wads is phenomenal”

The pace of development in steel loads and degradable wads is phenomenal. The manufacturers have been forced into frenzied research and development by the looming cessation of lead. This speed of change has led to occasional performance inconsistencies seen in some of these trial cartridges, particularly with the notably innovative Baschieri & Pellagri.

My main takeaway from this trial is the importance of marrying up your gun, choke and cartridge combination. The good news is that there is now a large range of quality, heavy steel loads available, meaning that with a bit of your own research, the notion of finding the perfect load isn’t such a challenge any more.